Whether it’s a fairy tale, a New Orleans destination wedding, or a corporate celebration of clients and prospects, Felicity Church offers a backdrop for any catered event steeped in beauty and history. Located in New Orleans’ posh Lower Garden District, Felicity Church was built in 1888. Although Hurricane Katrina set her sights on destroying this architectural gem, her efforts fell short, and Felicity Church was lovingly restored in 2015.
Today, its Gothic Revival architecture, vintage brick façade, hardwood floors, intricate stained glass, and hand-carved wooden accents have played host to a wide variety of events. In addition to weekly worship services, Felicity Church also hosts wedding ceremonies and receptions, Christenings, art gallery openings, pop-up restaurants, movie and music video shoots, and corporate functions, to name a few.
The History of Felicity Church
Felicity Church was originally deeded to the Methodist Church in 1849. Today, it is a non-denominational church “sanctuary of truth and acceptance. (jordan-anwar) ” The church was first dedicated as the Steel Chapel on Christmas Day in 1850. It was designed by architects James Galler, Sr.
, and Thomas K. Wharton, the same architects who crafted the U.S. Customs House in New Orleans.
It was renamed Felicity Street Methodist Church in 1887 and met its first tragedy that same year. A lit candle dropped by an organ repairman started a fire that engulfed and gutted much of the church. Only its brick façade remained, and it still stands to this day. The irony of being burned by a candle was that Felicity Street was one of the first churches in the Crescent City to have electricity. Already weakened by the flames, its steeple was toppled in the Great Hurricane of 1915.
That’s when Sam Stone, Jr., the architect of the Maison Blanche Building on Canal Street, stepped in to make design alterations and repairs to bring the church back to life. Some of his work is what remains to awe visitors to this day.
Felicity Church Present-Day
In 2011, Chris Jones and Jessica Walker purchased Felicity Church after it had sat vacant and damaged since suffering the wrath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Together with a host of master artisans stabilized and sealed the building, replaced the roof, tuck pointed the brick façade, and were married in the church in 2013. It was the first wedding to take place within its walls in more than a decade.
Jessica Walker is an architect that specializes in historic rehabilitation, and Felicity Church was the perfect match for her expertise. She redesigned Felicity to provide modern conveniences, such as a professional catering kitchen and a bridal suite. Today, Felicity Church can comfortably accommodate up to 300 guests for a cocktail-style event and up to 150 guests for a seated reception.
Make Any Event Even More Memorable by Hosting It at Felicity Church
Let’s face it, no one does unique, historic special event venues like New Orleans. Felicity Church is one of the best examples of this. We are a top New Orleans caterer and are proud to be a preferred caterer for Felicity Church. Let us help you create an event that will be memorable and as deeply felt as the history surrounding you. Visit MessinasCatering.com to learn more.
